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Officials: Somali pirates seize 21 U.S. sailors
MSNBC ^ | 7 Apr 09 | NBC News

Posted on 04/08/2009 4:04:52 AM PDT by rightwingextremist1776

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somali pirates have hijacked a cargo ship with 21 Americans onboard, officials said on Wednesday.

The 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama was taken Wednesday, according to the Kenya-based diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Fifth Fleet confirmed that a Danish-owned, U.S.-operated container ship carrying 21 Americans "came under attack" about 240 nautical miles southeast of Ayel, Somalia. She said the crew had radioed for help but the closest naval ship was about 300 nautical miles away at the time. The official was unable to confirm the name of the vessel.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: maersk; maerskalabama; maritime; piracy; pirates; somali; somalia; somalipirates; somalis; usnavy
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To: rightwingextremist1776
I think if we engage the Somali Maritime Enforcement Group (pirates is such an offensive term), we'll find that their needs are not being met by their government and to let them retain their human dignity, we should probably offer them financial incentives and investments to help them realize their personal capabilities and build their self-esteem.

I'm sure the US State Department is already working on such a financial package.

< /sarc>

101 posted on 04/08/2009 7:29:17 AM PDT by Repealthe17thAmendment (Is this field required?)
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To: rightwingextremist1776

I wonder what cargo is on the ship


102 posted on 04/08/2009 7:30:21 AM PDT by daku
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To: rightwingextremist1776

I pray for these Americans, and for the wisdom and strength of our leaders who have the duty to keep them safe and free.


103 posted on 04/08/2009 8:20:17 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: batter
Ok, so transport cost shoot up. So be it, we simply can not tolerate what is going on with these pirates. Paying the ransom will also effect the price of goods.

I would think that blocking the trade route would not take long to put a stop to these thugs.

You say: the ships aren't there for trade, they pass throught the waters!!!! Well Duh! I wouldn't think they would simply stop in the waters and make the trades, of course they pass through!!!!!

THE ships aren't there for trade, yet it is a major trade route?????????

104 posted on 04/08/2009 8:25:15 AM PDT by annieokie (i)
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To: aculeus
I'm sure our Merchant Marine sailors would be surprised to hear that.

sail·or
Pronunciation: \ˈsā-lər\
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of sailer
Date: 1577

1 a: one that sails ; especially : mariner b (1): a member of a ship's crew (2): seaman 2b

105 posted on 04/08/2009 8:34:51 AM PDT by GATOR NAVY
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To: wardaddy

Yeah, you can have something to kill mice or deal with a nutcase.

I know. When sailing I kept a small arsenal, but its taking a chance if you get searched.


106 posted on 04/08/2009 8:39:45 AM PDT by bill1952 (Power is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Obama will respond with an apology, a terse letter and another 15% spending cut in our Navy.


107 posted on 04/08/2009 8:43:42 AM PDT by SkyShot (I wouldn't let Tim Geithner watch my money on TV)
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To: jjm2111

SeaLand is gone huh?
I haven’t seen those containers for a long time - I always wondered what happened to them.

Thank you for your post. - bill


108 posted on 04/08/2009 8:45:59 AM PDT by bill1952 (Power is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: angkor

“Well let’s not count on any Brits to help, recently it was reported (and discussed on FR) that the Brits have no laws or authority to capture or prosecute pirates.”

Time for some decoy ships with concealed heavy armament. Blow about a dozen of their boats out of the water and the pirates will get the message eventually. I can’t believe we are playing these games.


109 posted on 04/08/2009 8:47:28 AM PDT by headstamp 2 ("Government is a disease masquerading as it's own cure")
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To: batter

I’m not at all sure that they ever signed on to that nonsense.
Of course Israel arms their ships or there would not be one left in the world.


110 posted on 04/08/2009 8:48:30 AM PDT by bill1952 (Power is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Just heard on the radio that the crew has retaken the ship! Leave it to an American crew to take care of business!


111 posted on 04/08/2009 9:02:49 AM PDT by My hearts in London - Everett (Remember the 3 Rs: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.)
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To: annieokie

THE ships aren’t there for trade, yet it is a major trade route?????????

That is entirely correct.


112 posted on 04/08/2009 9:03:14 AM PDT by bill1952 (Power is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Confirmed via the Pentagon FOX reporting the ship has been re-taken by the crew! WOOO HOOOO!


113 posted on 04/08/2009 9:04:40 AM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
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To: Perchant
Wasn’t America’s first war against Muslim pirates?

Yes. I believe Thomas Jefferson was POTUS.

Theyve always been there. You just have to pulversise them every couple hundred years. Same goes for their brethren.

114 posted on 04/08/2009 9:05:49 AM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham (What did Obama's Teleprompter know, and when did it know it...)
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To: rightwingextremist1776
Here's an effective "anti-pirate" defensive system:


115 posted on 04/08/2009 9:13:34 AM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham (What did Obama's Teleprompter know, and when did it know it...)
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To: Logic n' Reason
As a perfect example of our msm penchant for selling and/or creating "blood in the streets" to market their garbage, the headlines on one of their websites currently reads, "Wall Street Rises Moderately on Insurers, Homebuilders"

Go ahead...take a guess on what the word "moderately" means....10 points? 25 points? 50 points? 300 points?

Two weeks ago, the market closed down from the day before. This self same website screamed, "Wall Street Shudders Through Large Drop..."

Point value in the first example is 84....in the second example, it was 86.

Nothing in the world like objective journalism.

116 posted on 04/08/2009 10:06:18 AM PDT by Logic n' Reason (Welcome, one and all, to the islamo-muslim states of obamica!)
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To: rightwingextremist1776

Can I just say that there is much more to this than meets the eye?


117 posted on 04/08/2009 10:23:36 AM PDT by ketelone
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To: Logic n' Reason
I'll never forget (or forgive) AP Radio News saying "Market crashes through 12000 barrier.
118 posted on 04/08/2009 10:39:26 AM PDT by ichabod1 (I am rolling over in my grave and I am not even dead yet (GOP Poet))
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To: rightwingextremist1776

...and STILL not a peep from Obama!

I wonder if Michael Moore will refer to this in his next movie as Obama’s “My Pet Goat” moment?


119 posted on 04/08/2009 11:12:24 AM PDT by massmike
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To: GATOR NAVY
I'm sure our Merchant Marine sailors would be surprised to hear that

During WWII "Sailor" meant a member of the US Navy. Merchant Mariners were called exactly that, people "joined" the Merchant Marine. Some of those civilian ships had "Sailors" on board, ie, USN personnel operating anti-aircraft guns. If the dictionary definition now prevails, it's a pity.

120 posted on 04/08/2009 11:27:05 AM PDT by aculeus
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